Jul 9, 2009 11:04 am US/Eastern
Pennsylvania Kennel Racks Up $150k In Fines
EMMAUS, Pa. (AP) ―
A raid on an eastern Pennsylvania dog kennel has led to more than $150,000 in fines against a breeder.
Derbe Eckhart is facing over 230 charges for allegedly violating the state's dog laws at the Almost Heaven Kennel in Emmaus.
Eckhart has 15 days to appeal the $152,900 fine from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
Department of Agriculture spokesman Chris Ryder says Eckhart failed to get rid of 216 dogs after he lost his kennel license. Ryder says Eckhart has also failed to get approval to transfer 17 dogs.
Almost Heaven had also been raided in Oct. 2008. Animal welfare officials say hundreds of animals were living in filthy conditions. Eckhart also faces animal cruelty charges from that raid.
A phone number for Eckhart couldn't immediately be located Wednesday.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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